SAMPLE ITINERARY BRAZIL PERFORMANCE TOUR (itinerary subject to change) DAY ONE: RIO DE JANEIRO ARRIVAL (D) Arrive into Rio de Janeiro! Say "Rio" and mental images explode: sparkling costumes of Carnaval; the mountaintop statue of Christ the Redeemer, arms outspread; white-sand beaches crowded with fit women in minuscule bikinis; the granite grandeur of the Sugarloaf; and sultry samba rhythms. Collect your luggage and move through customs and immigration. Meet your local Brazilian Tour Manager and load the coach. Transfer and check-in to a local hotel. Dinner as a group in Rio then return to the hotel. DAY TWO: RIO DE JANEIRO (B) Today you will enjoy a full day Guided Sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro which will take you past many of its main and important sights. Visit the awe-inspiring and larger-thanlife Christ the Redeemer Statue at Corcovado Mountain. The Corcovado was recently chosen as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The view from the toes of Rio's mountaintop Christ is spectacular: the mountains, the bay, and the city all lay revealed beneath your (His?) feet. The statue was intended to mark the 100th anniversary of Brazilian independence in 1922, but in true Carioca fashion it arrived a decade or so late in 1931. Lunch on your own in Rio de Janeiro. After lunch, continue your sightseeing tour where you will some of the important references of the bossa nova movement. Afterwards, drive past the lagoon and famous beaches of Leblon and Ipanema. Dinner on your own in Rio and this evening is free.
DAY THREE: RIO DE JANEIRO (B,D) Performance #1 Enjoy an Open Jeep tour of Tijuca forest and a 45-minute guided walk through the forest to learn about the flora and fauna of one of the world s largest urban forests. Lunch on your own in Rio and free time this afternoon. Transfer to a local venue and possible short rehearsal. Dinner as a group nearby the venue. Performance at a local venue (possibly a theater or cultural hall) in Rio de Janeiro. Afterwards, return to the hotel. DAY FOUR: RIO DE JANEIRO / ANGRA DOS REIS (B,L) After breakfast, depart on a full day trip to the island archipelago of Angra dos Reis. Travel across mountainous terrain and lush rainforest to Angra dos Reis, located adjacent to an extensive island archipelago featuring sandy beaches, isolated coves, small islands and crystal clear waters. A traditional saveiro schooner will take you on a cruise of this tropical paradise. En route, enjoy a lunch buffet and a swim in the lovely waters. The rest of this afternoon will be free to enjoy the beaches and swimming. Late afternoon, board the coach and return to the hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Dinner on your own in Rio and this evening is free.
DAY FIVE: RIO DE JANEIRO (B,D) Percussion workshop / Performance #1 This morning is at leisure to enjoy the local beaches or shopping in the Copacabana area. Lunch on your own in Rio. This afternoon, enjoy a 2-hour percussion workshop at the hotel focusing on traditional Bahia styles and instruments. Transfer to a local venue (possibly a local school or nongovernment organization TBC) and possible short rehearsal. Dinner as a group nearby. Outreach performance for a local school or non-government organization in Rio de Janeiro (TBC). Afterwards, return to the hotel. DAY SIX: RIO DE JANEIRO / PETROPOLIS (B,L) Performance #3 Load the coach and depart on a day trip to Petropolis. Escape the city on a journey through spectacular mountainous scenery to Petropolis, the summer capital of Brazil s emperors during the 19 th century royal era before the monarchy was replaced by a republican government in 1889. Visit the neo-classical style Imperial Palace with its lavish gardens and fine collection of royal artifacts. View the neogothic Sao Pedro de Alcantara Cathedral where Dom Pedro I and other royal family members are buried. Lunch as a group in Petropolis. This afternoon, wander along Avenida Koeller and Avenida Ipiranga where several elegant 19 th century mansions are located. For shopping, you can buy anything you want along the city s main street, Rua do Imperador. Late afternoon, transfer to a local venue in Petropolis (TBC) for a possible short rehearsal. Dinner on your own nearby the venue Performance at a venue in Petropolis (TBC). Afterwards, board the coach and return to the hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
DAY SEVEN: RIO DE JANEIRO (B,D) Take the cable-car up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain for a spectacular view of the city bay. Along with samba, beaches, and beautiful women, the Sugarloaf remains one of the original and enduring Rio attractions. Deservedly so. Standing on its peak, the entire cidade maravilhosa lays at your feet: the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the favelas of Babylonia, the Tijuca Forest, Christ the Redeemer on His mountain, the Bay of Guanabara, and the fortresses at the edge of far-off Niterói. Lunch on your own in Rio and this afternoon is free for any last minute shopping and sightseeing in Rio. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner as a group in Rio to celebrate your Brazil Performance Tour! Return to the hotel. DAY EIGHT: RIO DE JANEIRO DEPARTURE (B) Check-out of the hotel and store your luggage. Free time in Rio this morning. Lunch on your own in Rio. After lunch, return to the hotel to collect your luggage and load the coach. Depart for Rio s main international airport - Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport. Arrive at the airport and check-in for flight(s) home. Say good-bye to your Brazilian Tour Manager and move through security on to your departure gate. Depart Rio de Janeiro. WELCOME HOME!!
SAMPLE ITINERARY BRAZIL PERFORMANCE TOUR (itinerary subject to change) INCLUSIONS: Round-trip, economy class airfare including taxes/fuel surcharges (subject to change) Accommodation: RIO DE JANEIRO Seven (7) nights at a local hotel Breakfasts: Daily (seven (7) total) at the hotel Lunches: Two (2) as a group Dinners: Four (4) as a group at local restaurants Full-sized deluxe touring coach as required by the itinerary One (1) local tour manager per coach with the group in Brazil Sightseeing and admissions per itinerary including: * Full Day Guided City Sightseeing Tour * Christ the Redeemer / Corcovado * Ipanema / Leblon * Open Jeep tour / Guided walking tour of Tijuca forest * Day-trip to Angra dos Reis (including schooner ride and lunch buffet listed above) * Day-trip to Petropolis (including the Imperial Palace and Sao Pedro de Alcantara Cathedral) * Sugar Loaf Mountain Performance and workshop setup in Brazil as follows: * Performance at a local venue (possibly a theater or cultural hall) in Rio de Janeiro * Bahia style percussion workshop/clinic * Outreach performance for a local school or non-government organization in Rio de Janeiro * Performance at a venue in Petropolis Large percussion / piano rental as required by the ensemble for all concerts (as is available) Brazil Visa processing fee (for eligible passport holders) Certificate of Liability Insurance (upon request) Taxes and tolls where applicable EXCLUSIONS: Ground Transportation from Home Airport Checked Baggage charges / Excess or overweight baggage charges Meals not listed in Inclusions / Drinks at included dinners Sightseeing entrances not indicated in the itinerary/inclusions list Passport processing fees Items of a personal nature (laundry, room service, telephone fee, internet connection, mail, etc.) Tips to Tour Managers or Drivers Trip Cancellation Insurance